Originally Posted by Tom Ohle
The North American edits were not some "mighty hand of Atari" coming down on the devs.

Sure it was. Just check the related interviews. Atari was 'looking for ways to bring the game to the NA market' ever since CDP showed them the game. Atari had the distribution network and they said "Cut and we will publish". And CDP cut.

Originally Posted by Tom Ohle
… it was a proactive measure to avoid a potential AO rating…

Thing is, Atari didn't even submit an uncensored version for rating. So we will never know if the uncensored version would be rated AO or not.

Originally Posted by Tom Ohle
… the game's mature themes, language, violence AND nudity may very well have pushed it over the edge into that dreaded rating.

Why dreaded? Porn is AO and is doing pretty well.

-- Of all the journeys you will undertake in this life, uncovering the secrets you hide from yourself is the most dangerous voyage of all.  Shyha Tuhlwin, Therish Philosopher